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Saturday, April 29, 2017

Sister Story - Sr. Bernadette Azuela

Our sister Bernadette Azuela (1931-2008) believed in social justice and lived accordingly. When we hear her name, we are reminded of her creativity, her prophetic witness with the poor, and her loving care for God's creation. In this reflection, our sister Ivonne Ramirez shares with us a few of her memories of Bernadette, many of which continue to live on and inspire our ongoing actions and decisions for justice, peace, and the care of creation.

For me, Sr. Bernadette
Azuela was a sister that deeply involved herself in whatever she was
doing. If she heard something
interesting on the radio, she would call to congratulate whoever said it. In the same way she would also speak out when
she disagreed with something or she saw an injustice.

In this way she
arrived to San Andres Tuxtla and started to get to know the people, inviting
some to accompany her to the Center of Social Rehabilitation (CERESO) and
became more and more involved in the prison ministry there.

Later on, she became
interested in ministering to migrants, especially those from El Salvador who
were fleeing to Mexico to escape the war.
She got a house in Chapantongo Hidalgo in order to offer hospitality and
assist them with finding jobs in the surrounding areas. But many of the Salvadorans preferred to
return to their home country, or in Mexico they preferred to stay near the
Capital where they could stay better informed and connected to others.

Sr. Bernadette
therefore decided to dedicate the house to promoting ecology and finding
economic alternatives that could benefit the community. Her famous “pomade” against pain made from
various herbal medicines was a big success because it was very effective, not
just for rheumatic pain but also of other aches and pains.

She responded to the
need to accompany her mother in her final years, but also always found time to
actively participate in commissions and congregational activities, as well as
continuing to care for the house in Chapantongo through which many different
people and lay missionaries have passed.

When her mother died
she dedicated herself completely to the Community of Chapantongo where she left
a profound impact and had an active participation in the Social and Pastoral
Ministry of the Diocese.

Bernadette struggled
through various difficult illnesses but never let them defeat her spirit. A good part of her healing came from her
“natural recipes” and above all her generous and perseverant attitude. Her sudden death had a profound impact on the
surrounding community.

Bernadette died as she
lived, always working on behalf of others with a special commitment to justice
and the dignity of people who are the most marginalized in society.